Small Business Employee Benefits and HR Blog

10 HRA FAQs - Health Reimbursement Account Rules

Here are 10 frequently asked questions (10 HRA FAQs) that outline common health reimbursement account rules. A Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), also known as a health reimbursement arrangement, is an IRS approved, tax advantaged, health benefit plan that reimburses employees for out-of-pocket medical expenses and individual health insurance premiums. The HRA is 100 percent funded by your employer. The terms of these arrangements can provide first dollar medical coverage until the funds are exhausted or insurance coverage kicks in. The contribution amount per employee is set by the employer.

HRA FAQs - Health Reimbursement Account Rules

1. Do I have to have health insurance to have a health reimbursement account (HRA)?

It depends on the HRA. Some employers offer HRAs to complement a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), but they can be paired with any type of health plan or offered alone. If you offer a Small Business HRA, employees must have minimum essential coverage.

2. Who owns the HRA?

According to IRS rules, the employer.

3. Who can put money in my HRA?

According to IRS rules, HRAs are fully owned and funded by the employer.

4. Does the money in my HRA earn interest?

Typically, no. Under most HRA plan rules, the accounts aren’t individually owned bank accounts that are eligible to earn interest.

5. What is an eligible health-care expense for an HRA?

Eligible expenses under an HRA plan are defined in IRS Publication 502. They include:

Health insurance premiums

Health insurance deductibles

Coinsurance and copays

Other medical expenses

Eligible expenses must be incurred by the employee and/or eligible members of the employee’s family, and take place within the benefit plan year.

6. How much can be contributed to my health reimbursement account?

The amount contributed to your HRA is up to your employer. For some HRAs, there are annual limits on contribution.

7. What is the maximum reimbursement amount from my HRA?

The health reimbursement account contribution rules are determined by your employer. Employees are reimbursed up to the full available balance in your HRA.

8. What happens to the money in my HRA if I leave my job or retire?

The unused money stays with the company when an employee terminates employment.

9. Does the money I have in my HRA roll over from year to year?

This depends on the type of HRA being used and decisions made by the employer. The Small Business HRA is restricted by federal law from rolling forward annually.

10. Can I use the money in my HRA to pay for my family's medical expenses?

Yes. The money in your HRA can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses of any family member who qualifies as a dependent on your tax return. However, the dependent must be covered by your HRA.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is general in nature and does not apply to any specific U.S. state except where noted. Health insurance regulations differ in each state. See a licensed agent for detailed information on your state. PeopleKeep, Inc., does not sell health insurance.